SACE Stage 2 Romanian (continuers) exam-day guide
SACE Stage 2 Romanian (continuers) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Photo identification
Bring the ID document your school or examination authority requires. If you are unsure which forms are accepted, confirm with the provider before exam day.
Admission or enrolment slip
Carry any printed or digital confirmation of your enrolment and personalised timetable. Whether a physical copy is mandatory varies by venue, so confirm with the provider.
Black or blue pens (at least two)
Written responses in Romanian must be legible. Bring spare pens and check they write smoothly before the exam.
Pencils, sharpener and eraser
Useful for planning notes and for any multiple-choice or short-answer sections that require pencil. Confirm with the provider whether pencil is permitted for final answers.
Clear water bottle
A small unlabelled or clear bottle is usually allowed at the desk. Check your venue's rules on drinks and labels.
Approved dictionary or reference list
Romanian continuers exams sometimes permit a monolingual or bilingual dictionary. Do not assume this: confirm with the provider which dictionaries, if any, are allowed and whether they must be inspected beforehand.
Permitted equipment
Check the official equipment list for your subject. Do not bring phones, smart watches, or notes; most venues require these to be switched off and stored away from the desk.
Know your start time and room
Re-check your personalised timetable the day before. Arrive early enough to complete any sign-in or ID check without rushing.
Plan your transport
Work out your route and a backup option. Aim to arrive at least 20 to 30 minutes before the scheduled start, or earlier if your venue advises.
Review the reading time rules
Find out whether your exam includes a supervised reading period and whether you may write during it. Confirm with the provider if this is not stated on your timetable.
Rest and nutrition plan
Plan a normal night's sleep and a light meal before the exam. Avoid trying to learn large amounts of new material on the morning itself.
Access or special provisions confirmation
If you have approved adjustments such as extra time or a separate room, bring the confirmation and check the arrangements with your school. If unsure, confirm with the provider.
Plan the day
Finish your revision cycle. Reread your summary notes on grammar, text types, and key vocabulary, and practise one full past-paper-style task under timed conditions. Focus on the question types you find hardest, such as reading comprehension, short responses in Romanian, and the extended writing task.
Check the official exam specifications for the text types and themes that may appear. Make a one-page sheet listing the structures you tend to get wrong, for example verb tense choice, noun-adjective agreement, pronoun placement, and the subjunctive after expressions of wish or necessity.
Prepare and practise your writing plan: a short opening, two or three developed points with linking words, and a closing. Rehearse useful connectors such as 'în primul rând', 'de asemenea', 'totuși', and 'în concluzie'.
Do a light review only. Read through your one-page error sheet and a few model sentences aloud to refresh pronunciation and rhythm. Do not start new topics.
Pack your bag: ID, admission slip, pens, pencils, eraser, water, and any approved dictionary or equipment. Put your phone and smart watch away so you do not accidentally carry them to the desk.
Confirm the start time, room, and any reading period rules. Check transport and set two alarms. Aim for a full night's sleep rather than late-night cramming.
Eat a light breakfast and drink water. Skim your error sheet for five to ten minutes only, then stop. Arrive early, complete sign-in, and settle at your desk with your equipment laid out.
If a reading period is allowed, use it to scan the whole paper, note the marks for each section, and decide how long to spend on each part. Do not begin writing until you are told to start.
Read every question twice and underline the instruction words, for example 'explicați', 'comparați', or 'rezumați'. Match your answer to the number of marks available and the required length.
For reading sections, locate the relevant lines before answering and quote or paraphrase precisely. For writing, spend a few minutes planning, then write, then reserve time to check agreement, tense consistency, spelling, and accents.
Watch the clock and keep a buffer of five to ten minutes. If you get stuck, move on and return later. Before the end, check that you have answered every part and that your handwriting is legible.
Rules to check
Bring the identification required by your venue and keep it on the desk if instructed. If you are unsure what counts as acceptable ID, confirm with the provider before the day.
Follow all instructions from supervisors about seating, materials, and timing. Raise your hand if you need to speak rather than calling out.
Electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, must usually be switched off and stored away from your desk. Check your venue's policy and confirm with the provider if unclear.
Use only approved materials. Whether a dictionary or other reference is allowed in a Romanian continuers exam varies, so confirm with the provider and do not bring unauthorised notes.
If you need to leave the room, for example for a toilet break, ask a supervisor. Whether breaks are permitted and whether you are supervised or given extra time is set by the venue, so confirm the local rules.
Write your answers in the spaces or booklets specified and make sure your candidate details are correct. Do not write in margins marked for examiner use.
Marks are awarded for accurate, relevant Romanian that addresses the task. Answer in the language and format the question requires, and note that content and language accuracy both contribute to your score.
If you believe there is a problem with the paper or your circumstances, tell a supervisor immediately. Do not discuss the paper with other candidates afterwards, and confirm any misconduct or appeal rules with the provider.